Reports of serious injuries and wrongful deaths, including tears, perforations and burns to organs, arteries and body tissue have resulted from the use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot, a remote-controlled robot manufactured by Intuitive Surgery, Inc. These incidents have raised concern about the safety of the device, originally approved for use by the FDA in 2000 and introduced to the medical community. The da Vinci Robot cannot move on its own without your surgeon operating it. Its popularity has been attributed to the fact that it is less invasive than traditional surgery resulting in a shorter recovery period for patients. The da Vinci has been most commonly used for hysterectomies and prostate removals. Some surgeons have also used it connection with weight-loss surgeries.
However, lawsuits have attributed equipment malfunction, design defects or inadequate surgeon training to injuries, serious complications and even fatalities amongst patients who underwent surgery with the device. Keep in mind that not all injuries may show up at the time of the surgical procedure and patients may later experience pain, bleeding and fatal complications while they are at home recovering from the surgery. Complications may also result in additional injuries and further need for surgeries and more medical costs.
The FDA has issued two more Class II da Vinci robot recalls as a result of reports that a small metal piece known as the jaw insert may fall off the device during surgery. The recall pertains to devices manufactured before October 2011. According to Intuitive Surgical, devices manufactured after that period are not affected. The company claims that if the part did detach, most surgeons would notice the detachment immediately. Intuitive Surgical Inc. recalled its Large Needle Driver and Mega Needle Driver EndoWrist instruments in November 2013.
If you have suffered a serious injury or have a loved one who has died from complications involving a da Vinci Robotic Surgery, you may be eligible for compensation for your pain, suffering, hospital and medical bills, lost wages and other costs or compensation for your loved one’s wrongful death. At Brooks Law Group, our Tampa Bay medical device personal injury attorneys focus on representing clients who have been seriously injured by defective medical devices and the families of those who have died as a result of complications. For a free consultation and evaluation of your da Vinci Robotic surgery case, please contact our firm today.
